Wildlife exclusion in Winter Haven, FL
Wildlife exclusion in Winter Haven means closing a house up against animals that live right next door, on the lakes, in the oaks and along the canals. We seal the gaps they use and the ones they’d try next.
- Lakefront and inland sealing
- Metal, not foam
- Walk-through when we finish
Seal out the lake critters
Tell us what you are hearing or seeing. We will get back to you, set up a visit and give you a straight answer on what it takes.
- Firm quote before any work starts
- Call, text or email, your pick
- Licensed and insured in Florida
Quick answer. Critter Guys provides wildlife exclusion in Winter Haven, FL. We find and seal every entry point raccoons, squirrels, rats, bats and opossums use, reinforcing roof lines, soffits, vents, AC chases, skirting and boathouses with chew-proof material. Any animal still inside is removed humanely first. Call or text (321) 203-6963 and we’ll walk the property with you.
Winter Haven homes sit close to wild ground
In Winter Haven, a lot of houses sit on or near one of the lakes in the northern or southern chain. Canals, wetlands, shoreline vegetation and big oaks put raccoons, rats, squirrels, bats and snakes within easy reach of the house. Even inland neighborhoods often back up to retention ponds or old grove land.
That steady wildlife pressure is why exclusion matters so much here. A gap that might sit unnoticed for years in a dry, treeless subdivision gets found quickly on a lake lot. For removal of animals already inside, see our Winter Haven wildlife control page.
Winter Haven at a glance
- Polk County
- North and south Chains of Lakes
- Oaks and old citrus groves
- Canals between the lakes
Our wildlife exclusion process in Winter Haven
Exclusion follows a set order so nothing is sealed inside.
Roof-to-boathouse inspection
We walk the roof, check the attic, crawl space or skirting, and look at boathouses, sheds and pool cages. Every active and possible entry point goes on the list.
Remove any animals inside
Anything still in the house comes out first with one-way doors or humane traps. Our Winter Haven raccoon removal and other removal services handle that.
Seal and reinforce
We close openings with metal flashing, hardware cloth and welded mesh, then repair damaged soffit, fascia and vent covers.
Walk-through
We check our work with you and point out anything to keep an eye on, like overhanging limbs or a worn screen panel.
A few recent calls
Common gaps on Winter Haven properties
These are the openings we seal most around town.
- Roof returns and soffit corners
- Gable and roof vents with weak screens
- Gaps under barrel tile at eaves and ridges
- AC line chases and plumbing penetrations
- Manufactured home skirting and access panels
- Boathouse eaves and open rafters
Winter Haven homeowners on our exclusion work
4.9
141 reviews on Google
★★★★★
Nelson from CritterGuys provided great service today! He was professional, and explained everything very well and helped us and the neighbor with a rat problem on the patio. He also inspected the attic, roof and exterior of the house, sealed a space on the roof, and added bait station boxes. Great service! Highly recommended!
Aura NicolaeGoogle review
★★★★★
I can’t recommend this company enough! Josh was absolutely amazing and went above and beyond from start to finish. As a property manager, I work with a lot of vendors, and it’s not often that someone stands out the way he did. …
Andrea GutierrezGoogle review
★★★★★
Definitely recommend Craig with Critter Guys! Professional and courteous ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
S CGoogle review
Read every review on Google or see more Critter Guys reviews
Lakefront versus inland exclusion
The basics are the same, but lake lots usually need more.
| Lakefront home | Inland home |
|---|---|
| Boathouse and dock storage to seal | Mostly the house and garage |
| More raccoon and snake traffic | More squirrels and rats from trees |
| Pool cages facing the water | Pool cages facing the yard |
| Shoreline palms touching the roof | Oaks and fruit trees near the eaves |
Storms and age open new entry points
Hurricanes and strong summer storms lift shingles, crack tile, peel back soffit panels and tear screens. Animals find those openings fast, so a roof line check after a storm is a smart move.
Age does the same work more slowly. Wood fascia softens, caulk cracks and vinyl soffit sags. Many of the older homes around Lake Howard and in Interlaken have had decades of that, and even newer homes start showing gaps over time.
Why foam doesn’t last
Expanding foam is quick, but squirrels and rats chew right through it. We back sealant with metal so it holds up.
Pool cages and lanais count too
A torn bottom panel on a pool cage lets raccoons and snakes into the lanai, and the cage frame gives climbers a ladder to the roof. We patch screen and check whether the cage connects to an open spot on the roof line.
Prevention saves money
Our first recommendation is always full prevention. Sealing a few gaps now costs far less than cleaning and repairing an attic after animals have lived there, and it’s a lot easier on the animals too.
Wildlife exclusion near Winter Haven
Related services in Winter Haven
What Winter Haven homeowners ask about wildlife exclusion
Still wondering about something? Call or text (321) 203-6963.
What does wildlife exclusion cost in Winter Haven?
It depends on the size of the house, the number of openings, the roof type and whether there’s a boathouse or other structure to seal. You get a full list of findings plus a quote after the inspection.
Is sealing worth it on a Winter Haven lake house with no animals inside yet?
Usually, yes. Lakefront homes on the Chain of Lakes get regular visits from raccoons, rats and bats, and an open gap tends to get found. Closing it before anything moves in costs less than removal, cleanup and repairs later.
Can you seal a boathouse against raccoons and rats?
Yes. Boathouses often have open rafters and gaps at the eaves. We close them with mesh and flashing so raccoons, rats and bats can’t use them.
Do you seal manufactured home skirting?
Yes. We close skirting gaps, access panels and floor penetrations so opossums, armadillos and rats can’t get underneath.
What if bats are in my roof?
Bats need special timing. We use one-way devices and seal the last exits only after the colony is out, never between April 15 and August 14. See our bat removal in Winter Haven page for details.
How long does exclusion take?
Most homes take a day or two once animals are out. Bigger homes, tall roofs or lots of repair can take longer. We’ll give you a timeline at the inspection.
Keep Winter Haven wildlife outside
Call or text (321) 203-6963 to book a Winter Haven inspection. We use the same sealing methods as our Orlando exclusion work, and also cover Lakeland.